Automatic electric coupler



Oct. 4, 1966 G. W. GOBRECHT AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. zo, 1965 elv FIG. l

- In-ventor: George W. Gobrecht FIG. 2

his Attorney Oct. 4, 1966 G. w. GOBRECHT 35277421 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLER Filed Aug. 50, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 his Attorney Oct. 4, 1966 G. W. GOBRECHT AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 30

FIG. 7

George W. Gobrecht his Attorney United States Patent O 3,277,421 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CoUPLER I George W. Gobrecht, Broomall, Pa., assignor to Walton This invention relates to automatic electric couplers, for use with hook or other automatic mechanical couplers that lock tightly when coupled, for automatically coupling electric service lines of railway cars as the cars are mechanically coupled to each other.

T-he primary object of the present invention is to provide an automatic electric coupler, the -contacts of which can be 'applied and removed as a unit for repair or replacement in a minimum of time and without use of special tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic electric coupler which has its contacts so mounted as to ybe applicable and removable Ias a unit without disturbing the mounting of their housing on the associated automatic mechanical coupler.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automatic electric coupler wherein the contacts are connectable to the service lines of the associated car through a readily accessible common plug, thereby enabling the lines and contacts to be disconnected for removal of the latter as a unit simply by unpluging the plug.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic electric coupler whose contacts are so arranged and constructed as to facilitate their connection to electrical leads and render them substantially impervious to service wear.

Other objects Iand advantages o-f the invention will appear hereinafter in the detailed description, be particularly pointed out in the appended lclaims and be illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a subway type automatic coil-pler assembly including a pair of the automatic electric couplers of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a preferred embodiment of the coupler of the present invention removed from the -assembly of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along lines 3-3 4of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevational view of the coupler of FIGURE 2 with portions broken away;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along lines 5 5 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary exploded view of the electric coupler on the scale of FIGURE 2 and with parts removed to more clearly show the mounting for the insulator block;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along lines 7 7 of FIGURE 4 and showing the details of a preferred form of plug-in connector for connecting the contacts with the electric lines on a car; and

FIGlURE 8 is a front elevational View of the connector f FIGIUR-E 7 with the plug removed.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts, the improved automatic electric coupler of the present invention, designated as 1, is designed primarily for use as part of an automatic railway coupler assembly 2 by which train air and electric service lines are automatically coupled or connected between cars simultaneously with the mechanical coupling of the cars. Such assemblies are now found mainly on subway cars in which the electric couplers are customarily mounted singly or in pairs, respecg tively, below and at sides of the mechanical couplers at the ends of a car.

A typical coupler assembly 2 is illustrated in FIG- URE 1 in which a pair of the improved electric couplers 1 are 4bolted or otherwise suitably mounted on opposite sides of an automatic mechanical coupler 3 of the hook type, such as shown in Cope application Ser. No. 283,395, filed on May 27, 1963. The illustrated assembly also includes a draft arm 4 carrying and pivotally connected to the coupler and pivotally or swive-lly connected in turn to the car (not shown) through a mounting 5 secured to the underside thereof.

Each of the illustrated pair of automatic electric coul to the side of the coupler, at the front directly and at the V rear through a fixed Z or other suitable lateral spacer or bracket 8. Conveniently fabricated of sheet metal, the box 6 is open at the front and inside or Within its front end 9 has fixed to or rigid with it a one or plural-piece backing or positioning plate or flange 10 which extends around and instands from the sides of the box. For both fixing it to the box 6 and rigidifying the latter, the back-ing flange 10 may be formed Ias the inner, instanding leg of an angle backing or positioning member 11 fitting or received in the open front end 9 of the box, the other or outer leg 12 of which abuts or lies against and is welded or otherwise secured to the sides of the box.

Also received in the front end 9 of the box 6, but in this case releasably, is a base 13 of Ia rigid insulator `block 14 of rubber or other suitable insulating material. Generally, rectangular in cross-section to conform to the preferred shape of the box 6, the base 13 of the insulator block 14 is slideably insertable into the open end 9 of the box 6 and fits or seats within the outer flange 12 of the positioning member against or backed by the inner or backing flange 10. The preferred insulator block is of stepped formation and formed, in vaddition to the base or base part 13, 4of a head or outer part 1-5 which projects -or is disposed voutwardly of or beyond the outer end 9 yof the box 6. Rectangular in cross-section but relatively reduced and inset transversely Within -the base 13, the head 15 is bounded by a rectangular recess 16 in which releasably fits an angle retainer or retainer frame 17 having a rectangular collar 18 surrounding the head and, at the rear `of the collar, a transversely outstanding peripheral flange 19 abutting against or engaging the outer face or end 20 ot' the ibase.

Longitudinally aligned apertures 21 and 22 are provided, respectively, in the base 13 and the peripheral or base flange 19, preferably one on each side, for receiving correspondingly positioned mounting or positioning posts or lugs 23 fixed and projecting outwardly substantially normal to the backing flange 10 in the box 6. On assembly, the insulator block 14 is held in the box 6 between the retainer 17 and the backing flange 10 by means carried by the posts 23, the latter for this purpose preferably being radially or transversely slotted to receive flat, wedge-A Patented Oct. 4, 1956 i 3 it will be desirable that the insulator block 14 be insertable only one way into the box and the posts 23 can be made to perform this additional function by offsetting one or more and the corresponding apertures 21 and 22 from the related transverse centerline of the box.

Confined laterally or transversely within and interrupting the usually flat front face or end 25 of the outer part 15 of the insulator block 14 and extending normal to the face through the block are a plurality of laterally or radially spaced, preferably cylindrical, perforations, apertures, holes or drillings 26. In each of the perforations 26 is received or seats a Contact pin or contact 27 for completing the circuit between cars or one of the train electric service lines by contacting a corresponding contact of the mating electric coupler of another car. While the number and .arrangement of the contact pins 27 will depend on the particular installation, a typical installation requiring the coupler assembly 2 to have the illustrated pair of electric: couplers 1, may have thirty-two contacts in one, as in the coupler shown in detail, and nineteen in the other, the contacts in each being arranged in vertically spaced rows.

Each of the contact pins 27 preferably is cylindrical and has, adjacent its front end 28, an annular shoulder or abutment 29 interposed axially between its tip 30 and its stem 31 and of larger diameter or cross-section at least than the stem and usually than the tip, as well. Correspondingly, each perforation 26 has a rear part 32 of a diameter to slideably receive the stem 31 of the related pin 27 and, forwardly, is enlarged to provide a socket or front part 33 for slideably receiving the pins shoulder 29. Axially movable or reciprocable in its aperture 26 and guided in such movement by the sliding engagement of its shoulder 29 and stem 31, respectively, with the front and rear parts 33 and 32, each pin 27 is urged forwardly or outwardly by spring means suitably in the form of a coil spring; 34 contained in the socket 33 about the stern 31 and acting between the shoulder and a rear wall or rear part 2K5 of the base 13 of the insulator block 14 in which the restricted rear part of 32 the aperture 21 is formed. Preferably unitary or of oneapiece construction and formed mainly of brass or like material, each pin 27 is both limited in its forward movement and removably or releasztbiy held in its aperture 26, conveniently by a washer 36 encircling its stern 31 at the rear of the insulator lslclck 14 and in turn normally rearwardly engaged by a otter or like pin 37 extending radially through the stem.

Rather than mold it in one piece with the nicety of counterboring that this would entail in forming the apertures 12:6, the preferred insulator block 14 has its rear wall 35 containing the relatively restricted rear parts 32 of the apertures 21 formed separately. With this two-part construction, it is possible for each part of the block .to be drilled through to one diameter and the parts then to be aligned and screwed or otherwise connected together, with assurance that the sockets 33 of the two-diameter apertures 26 will be of uniform depth.

As in a conventional automatic electric coupler, the purpose of the springs 34 is, by projecting the contacts 27 initially beyond the positions they occupy on coupling, to make available a spring force for maintaining electrical contact between mated electric couplers over the limited range of relative movement permitted by the associated mechanical couplers 3 and despite some service wear. However, While the contacts of both the improved and conventional couplers are relieved from wear due to arcing by the usual drum switches (not shown) included in an installation, the conventional brass contacts are still subject to mechanical wear due .to friction with consequent serious limitation on their service life, a limitation but little affected by the conventional practice of silvering the tips. By contrast, the contacts 27 are given an extended service life without detriment to their electrical properties by forming their usual flat and radially disposed front ends 28, in part and preferably centrally of a material, such as tungsten carbide, which is comparable in conductivity but more resistant to mechanical wear or abrasion than the brass of which the bulk of the contacts wil-l be made. This is accomplished by seating or otherwise fixing in the tip 30 of each contact 27, flush with its front end 28, an insert 38 of such material, the insert being of cylindrical or other suitable shape and providing at the end 28 an area sufficient to maintain contact with a like insert in a mating contact over the range of movement permitted by the mechanical couplers 3.

The electrical leads 39 to the several contacts 27, may be soldered but preferably are releasably connected to the contacts by suitable means such as that illustrated in which the stem 31 of each contact is radially apertured adjacent its rear end to receive the end of its lead and a set screw 40 in the rear end of the stem and carrying a lock nut 41 locks the lead to the contact. However, regardless of the form of their individual connection to the contacts 27, it is necessary to the intended functioning of the coupler 1 that the leads 39 to all the contacts be makeable and breakable in unison by connecting them in advance of the contacts to a readily accessible, common quick-disconnect or junction 42. A particularly suitable quick-disconnect is the illustrated plug connector 42 which has its housing, receptacle or outlet box 43 mounted within the box 6 on the latters rear wall 44. Access to the connector 42 is had through an opening 45 in the outer side wall 46 of the box which normally is closed by a cover plate 47 bolted or otherwise releasably secured to the wall.

The -outlet box 43 of the illustrated plug connector 42 is attached to the rear wall 44 by an externally threaded tianged bushing 48 and nut 49 and the leads 50 from the drum switch or other source, corresponding to and forming continuations of the leads 39, are lead in a bundle through the bushing into the receptacle. Within the receptacle 43 the leads 50 are separated and connected to individual spring sockets 51 mounted in an insulator plate 52 fixed in the receptacle. Conversely, each of the leads 39 connects to a prong or pin 53 mounted in an insulating plug 54 releasably fittable into the open outer end 55 of the receptacle. To ensure that on insertion of the plug 54 into the receptacle 43 each prong 53 will be -received in or mate or intertit with the proper socket 51, the prongs and sockets may be arranged correspondingly but unevenly or in imbalance about the plate 52 and the plug so as Ito match or align in only one rotative position of the plug. Alternatively, the plug 54, as illustrated, may carry a tongue or key 56 of T -or other suitable shape which, when iitted into a correspondingly configured slot 57 in the plate 52, automatically aligns the prongs 53 and the sockets 51.

As in a conventional automatic electric coupler, the contacts 27 are protected from the elements when not in use by a wea-ther shield or cover 58 which in closed position engages or seats against a rubber sealing gasket 59 surrounding the head 15 of the insulator block 14 and in this case conveniently mounted on the retainer 17. Conventionally, the shield 58 has arms 60 vertically embracing the box 6 and pivoted on la vertically disposed rod 61 fixed, outwardly off-center, to the back of the box. Normally held in closed position by a torsion spring 62 anchored to one or each end of the rod 61 and acting on the adjoining arm 60, the shield 58 is automatically swung oir kicked to open, out-:of-the-way position, on contact in a coupling operation with the shield of a mating coupler, because Iof the olf-center position of its pivot and special contour of its :outer face 63. Assurance that the same action will occur in a coupling operation with the couplers initially misaligned is obtained by providing the shield with the usual lever or striker larm 64 fixed to its outer side.

Constructed in the `above manner, the impro-ved automatic electric coupler 1 operates at least as well as prior couplers in automatically connecting :and disconnecting train electric service lines. However, its main advantage over prior couplers is in maintenance. Not only are the preferred `contact pins 27 as elfective and much longer lived than the usual pins by virtue of their wear-resistant inserts 38, but the mounting of the pins on an insulator block 14 which is removable simply by knocking `out the wedges 24 holding it in place, in conjunction with the readily accessible quick-disconnect 42 for the electrical leads 39, enables the block, pins and plug 54 to be removed and replaced as a unit in a matter of minutes. By replacing a defective coupler with a like unit and sending the defective coupler to the shop for repair, it therefore is possible to repair the coupler `at leis-ure, while limiting to a few minutes the down-time of a car attributable to such a defect. And, even in the shop, the preferred form of coupler, in which the leads are releasably connected to the pins, requires a minimum of time `and skill to replace defective pins. Too, the removability of the block, pins and .plug as a unit enables a coupler to be maintained without disturbing the mounting of its box 6 on the associated mechanical coupler 3 and thus the alignment of the coupler and, simply by using a block having the proper number and arrangement of pins and a corresponding plug, the `coupler can be adapted at will to changes in the electric service lines. By contrast, the insulator block in prior couplers is diflicult to remove and can be removed with the contact pins only by individually disconnecting the latter. As a consequence, maintenance of prior couplers is a diiiicult and time-con suming job which ordinarily is performed at the car and correspondingly delays the `cars return to service.

From the above-detailed description, it will be apparent that there has been provided an improved automatic electric coupler for an automatic railway coupler assembly which is at least the equal of prior couplers in operation and far superior thereto in maintenance. It should be understood that the described and disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention and that all modifications are intended to be included that do not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of l@he appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An automatic electric coupler -for a railway car comprising a housing having an open front end, a backing ange xed to and instanding from sides of said housing inside said end, an insulator block inserted into said housing through said end and seated therein against said flange, a plurality of contact pins mounted in said block, a retainer frame engaging an outer face of said block and spaced from said pins, and means acting on an outer face Iof said retainer frame and releasably connected to said housing for releasably locking said block between said frame and said ange.

2. An automatic electric coupler for a railway car comprising a housing having an open front end, a backing ange xed to and instanding from sides of said housing inside said end, an insulator block inserted into said housing through said end and seated therein against said flange, a plurality of contact pins mounted in said block, a retainer engaging said block and .spaced thereby from said pins and outwardly lfrom said flange, post means fixed to said housing and projecting through said block 4and retainer, and knock-out wedge means in said post means outwardly fof and acting on said retainer for releasably locking said block in said housing between said retainer and iiange.

3. An automatic electric coupler for a railway car comprising a housing, `an insulator block removably mounted in said housing, a plurality of laterally spaced contact pins mounted in and normally projecting outlet means -carrying a plurality of contacts individually l connected to electric lines, said plug and outlet contacts being correspondingly arranged and releasably intertted for enabling said block, pins, leads and plug means to be 4 removed as a unit from said housing.

4. An automatic electric coupler for a rallway car comprising a housing, an insulator block removably mounted in said housing, said block having a plurality of laterally spaced perforation-s extending therethrough substantially normal to an outer end thereof, a plurality of unitary contact pins each axially slideable in and normally projecting beyond opposite ends of one of said perforations, a conductive relatively more wear-resistant insert in and flush with an outer end of each pin, a lead connected to each pin inwardly of said block, and quick disconnect means in said housing and releasably connecting said leads to related electric lines for enabling said block, pins, leads and part `of said disconnect means to be removed as a unit from said housing.

5. An automatic electric coupler for a railway car comprising a housing, an insulator block removably mounted in said housing, a plurality of laterally spaced contact pins slideable axially in and normally projecting beyond an outer end of said block, and -a conductive relatively more wear-resistant insert in and ush with lan outer end of each pin.

6. An automatic electric coupler for a railway car comprising a housing, an insulator block releasably mounted in an otherwise open outer end of said housing, said block including a main part 'and a rear part initially separate from and bonded to a rear end of said main part, a plurality of laterally spaced apertures in said block and each having a front portion and an axially aligned relatively restricted rear portion extending respectively through said main and rear parts of said block and formed therein in the separate condition thereof, a unitary contact pin axially shiftable in and normally extending beyond opposite ends of each aperture and having a stem and an enlarged abutment respectively slideably received in the rear and front portions thereof, spring means in each aperture and acting between 4said abutment and said rear part of said block for yieldably resisting inward movement of the related pin, means on each pin inwardly :on said block for limiting outward movement thereof, and a conductive relatively more wear-resistant insert fixed in land iiush with an outer end of each pin.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,624 7/1917 Taylor 339-278 X 1,309,406 7/1919 Gilchrist 339-155 X 1,755,166 4/1930 Cannon 339-136 X 'j 1,790,292 1/1931 Van Dorn 339-48 Y 2,369,860 2/ 1945 Schroeder 339-48 X 2,795,770 6/ 1957 Toedtman 339-278 2,954,543 9/ 1960 Rayer et al 339-64 2,981,916 4/1961 OBrien 339-278 X 3,027,535 3/1962I Persson 339-92 l 3,038,117 6/1962 Blain 339-176 X 3,041,573 6/1962 Otterman 339-186 X Y 3,047,828 7/ 1962 Gregson et al 339-64 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

W. DONALD MILLER, JOSEPH D. SEERS, Examiners. 

1. AN AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLER FOR A RAILWAY CAR COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING AN OPEN FRONT END, A BACKING FLANGE FIXED TO AND INSTANDING FROM SIDES OF SAID HOUSING INSIDE SAID END, AN INSULATOR BLOCK INSERTED INTO SAID HOUSING THROUGH SAID END AND SEATED THEREIN AGAINST SAID FLANGE, A PLURALITY OF CONTACT PINS MOUNTED IN SAID BLOCK, A RETAINER FRAME ENGAGING AN OUTER FACE OF SAID BLOCK AND SPACED FROM SAID PINS, AND MEANS ACTING ON AN OUTER FACE OF SAID RETAINER FRAME AND RELEASABLY CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID BLOCK BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND SAID FLANGE. 